How much does an average funeral cost?
    The average cost of a traditional funeral today is approximately $6000. This includes professional services of the funeral director and staff, embalming, use of the facilities for visitation and the funeral service, the transfer from place of death to the funeral home, necessary vehicles, and moderately priced casket and concrete vault.
    This cost does not include such items as cemetery lots, opening and closing the grave, paid newspaper obituary notices, certified death certificates, monument expenses and honorarium given to clergy and musicians.
    The cost may also be increased or decreased depending on the merchandise and the services you select. At Seven Oaks Funeral Home, we have caskets ranging from $595 to $10,000 as well as a wide selection of urns and vaults. The selection of services, which can vary from a traditional funeral service with visitation to a Memorial service, will also affect your funeral cost.

Does Seven Oaks Funeral Home offer a payment plan?
    No. Seven Oaks Funeral Home does not offer an at-need payment plan. We do, however, assist with the filing of insurance claims and in certain circumstances, when proof of payment is definite, we do extend terms.

Can Funeral Arrangements be planned and, if desired, paid for in advance?
    Yes they can. Many people find that preplanning arrangements gives them peace of mind knowing that their wishes will be carried out and the burden lessened on their family at the time of their death. Some find they need to protect their assets and assure their funeral expenses will be taken care of. Preplanning your funeral consists of meeting with the funeral home of your choice to allow them to gather biographical information for a death certificate as well as information you would like to be included in an obituary notice. At this time you can choose the type of services you desire as well as the type casket, outer burial container or cremation urn. Special clothing, flowers or music may be listed for reference later.
    Once these pre-arrangements are made, you may decide to prepay your funeral to secure the price at today's cost. The interest that accumulates on your funds is then used to offset the increase in cost. At Seven Oaks Funeral Home, we use several funding vehicles such as insurance and trusts. We guarantee that your funeral funds will be secure and protected.

What happens to my pre-arrangement should I choose to move?
    Most prepaid arrangements are established using an irrevocable contract to protect the funds from being acquired by the State, the funeral home or the family before death occurs. Your arrangements, however, are easily transferred to another funeral home should you decide to leave the area.

Can a pre-arrangement be transferred to Seven Oaks Funeral Home?
    We do welcome pre-arrangement transfers. If you have an existing pre-arrangement and would like to use Seven Oaks Funeral Home, you may bring what papers you have and talk with our funeral directors about the transfer.

How much will Social Security pay toward my funeral expenses?
    The Social Security Administration may pay a lump sum death benefit of$255 to the surviving spouse provided the deceased and their spouse were living together at the time of death. Entitled children may be eligible to receive the lump sum benefit if the deceased was received monthly benefits at the time of death. Further information regarding benefits that you or your family may be eligible for can be obtained by calling the Social Security Administration directly at (800)772-1213 or visiting their web site at www.ssa.gov.

As a United States veteran, will the Veterans Administration pay for my funeral expenses?
    Each veteran, discharged other than dishonorably, is entitled to a burial flag and a government grave marker for an unmarked grave. If the death is ruled to be service connected, there may be additional monies available. The funeral directors at Seven Oaks Funeral Home can give you more information if needed.

Is embalming required by law?
    Except in certain special cases, embalming is not required by law. However, embalming will be necessary if you select certain funeral arrangements such as viewing during visitation or a delay of more than 24 hours before interment. If you do not want embalming, you have the right to choose an arrangement that would not require it such as closed casket services with immediate burial, within 24 hours of death, or cremation prior to your services.

Can I still have a visitation and/or funeral service if I wish to be cremated?
    There are many options available today with regards to cremation. The act of cremation is simply a form of disposition of the body, taking the place of burial. While you may desire a direct cremation with no services, many people are choosing to have visitation and a funeral service prior to the cremation. Others choose to have a memorial service after the cremation has been done with the urn present. Seven Oaks Funeral Home can help you make this service special and unique to fit your individual needs.

Is a vault required at the cemetery?
    Most cemeteries in our area do not require the use of outer burial containers, however, perpetual care cemeteries in our area do required some form of outer burial container. The word vault is used to describe an outer container that is waterproof by an air seal or by a top seal. Other containers such as a concrete box or metal grave liner are also used. Seven Oaks Funeral Home uses burial vaults by Wilbert Vault Company and Vantage Vault Company.

Is Seven Oaks Funeral Home an independent home-owned firm?
    Yes. While many funeral homes are corporate controlled, Seven Oaks Funeral Home is owned and operated by local people. Charlie Harris and Liz Reynolds are from Water Valley and Steve Holland is from Verona, MS. We at Seven Oaks consider this more than a job, but as a service to the families during their time of grief. To be able to comfort and ease their pain during and after a loss is our desire. Our services do not end with the funeral service. We are at your disposal at any time of the day or night. Feel free to call on us.